Charlie Palmieri

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Charlie Palmieri, also known as “The Giant of the Keyboards” (November 21, 1927-September 12, 1988) born in New York City, was a renowned Bandleader and musical director of salsa music. He is the brother of Eddie Palmieri.

Palmieri’s parents emigrated to New York from Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1926 and settled down in Spanish Harlem, a Hispanic ghetto located in Manhattan. As a child, Palmieri, (who was born Carlos Manuel Palmieri), taught himself to play the piano by ear. He went to school in the city’s public school system but, when he was 7 years old, his father enrolled him at The Juilliard School, where he took piano lessons. By the time Palmieri was 14 years old, he found himself with his 5 year old brother, Eddie participating in many talent contests and together they won many prizes. It was at this time that his godfather introduced him to the music of the Latin bands - an experience which inspired him to become a musician.

In 1943, when still only 16 years old and still in high school, he made his professional debut as a piano player for the Osario Selasie Band. He graduated from High School in 1946, and immediately went to play for various bands. He made his recording debut with the song “Se Va La Rumba” as a member of the Rafael Muñoz Band.

In October 1947, Tito Puente, the musical director of the Fernando Alvarez Band, was impressed with Palmieri and hired him to play for his band at the Copacabana Club; here he played with Tito until 1953 and during the 1950s he played with various bands.
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